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Verbal Improvement

by scottchapman » Sun May 31, 2015 1:03 pm
Experts:

I feel as if my Verbal score isn't improving quite fast enough for my upcoming official test date 29JUNE2015. My last scores are as follows:

MGMAT 540: 36Q 29V
MGMAT 670: 47Q 34V
MGMAT 640: 44Q 34V
MGMAT 680: 45Q 37V
MGMAT: will take 7JUN
MBA CAT2: 14JUN

I have about a month-ish to improve before the official test. I'd like words of advisement/strategy for the Verbal section and maybe some encouragement! haha! I'm hoping to break the 700 score at least on the next two tests.

Additional info: The last two MGAT I was pressed for time (approx 2mins left) and guessed the last 2-3 questions.

Thanks in advance!

Scott
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by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Sun May 31, 2015 3:31 pm
My advice: make your next practice test the one from mba.com - there are sometimes discrepancies between the official practice exams and test prep exams. If your scores continue to increase along the same trajectory (give yourself some credit for going from V29 to V37!) or if your previous verbal scores are lower than your true ability, you may already be at a 40 verbal, in which case, you're in excellent shape. If not, report back, and there will be time to make some strategic adjustments.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Jun 01, 2015 7:21 am
I thought I'd point out that, even though your Verbal score APPEARS to be lower than your quant score, the percentiles tell a different story:
45Q - 63rd percentile
37V - 83rd percentile

I mention this because, in my opinion, improving one's Verbal score takes longer than improving one's Quantitative score. The main reason for this is that the verbal section depends largely on your reading skills, and these skills take time to improve.

If we're talking about return on investment (ROI) with regard to your remaining prep time, I suggest that you first focus on concepts that are tested frequently and require the least amount of time to learn. In my opinion, these concepts are:
- Data Sufficiency strategies
- Percent
- Integer Properties
- Powers/roots
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Sentence Correction

I say all of this because I often see students spending a lot of time agonizing over concepts like Probability and Counting, when these concepts are not tested nearly as much as concepts like integer properties and geometry.

Cheers,
Brent
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by [email protected] » Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:54 am
Hi Scott,

When you took these CATs, did you take them in a realistic and test-like fashion (did you include the Essay and IR sections, take the CAT away from your home, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, etc.)? Assuming that you did, then these scores provide a reasonable assessment of your skills and show that you've made some nice improvements.

Since your goal is to score 700+, there are a couple of different ways to find the missing points that you're after - in the Quant OR in the Verbal, so I'm curious why you're focused on your Verbal Scaled Score?

What practice materials have you been using so far?
When is your Official Test Date?

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by scottchapman » Mon Jun 01, 2015 11:29 am
Thanks all for the replies.

Brent/David-- will take your advice concepts and will report back the scores of the MBA.com test.


Rich, to answer your questions:

I took the CATs in a test-like fashion- AWA, IR, Q, V, with the 8 min breaks; however, I did NOT take the CATs away from home. I should try to do that for the next couple of CATs. Additionally, it's sometimes difficult to take these CATs in the morning-- which is the time of the official test, because of my work schedule...Any thoughts about that?

Not to say I'm not focused on the Quant I just felt as if the Verbal scaled score isn't up to par. I do need improve/practice more for the Quant as well-- I keep making careless errors. I feel rushed.

Practice Materials: OG 13 & the Quant/Verbal Review Books; MGMAT CATs; MBA.com CATs
Offical Test Date: 29JUN2015
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by [email protected] » Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:35 pm
Hi Scott,

Test Day is a specific 'event' that you CAN train for - nobody said it would be easy, but your commitment to the task is part of what will dictate how well you score on Test Day. For example, If your GMAT is scheduled for 9am, then you have to work with that in mind. The more your practice CATs deviate from the parameters of your Official GMAT, the more likely those practice scores are to be "off." Beyond the obvious problems with those score results, you also won't necessarily have an accurate assessment of your weaknesses, so you won't be working to hone the proper skills.

You've also been taking a 'book-heavy' study approach, which might be limiting your improvements. Many Test Takers get 'stuck' at a particular scoring level when working in this way.

With your next CAT, you have to do everything in your power to make that experience 'match up' with what you'll face on Test Day (including the time you take the Test). Perhaps taking half of a 'sick day' from work is something to consider. That set of scores will be valuable in helping to determine what you should focus on for this last month.

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by Rich@EconomistGMAT » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:04 pm
Hi Scott,

I'm also curious to know if there were any question types you noticed in your error log were giving you more trouble than others. Of course it's tempting to throw yourself into full-blown Verbal prep over the next month, you'll save yourself from a great deal of stress/work/all of the above if you can more clearly identify your problem areas.

Best,
Rich
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